Wear and friction characteristics of ZA-27/MoS₂ metal matrix nanocomposites by using response surface methodology

This paper examines the impact of molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) nanoparticles on the tribological characteristics of ZA-27 alloy metal matrix nanocomposites. ZA-27 matrix material reinforced with various weight percentages of MoS₂ nanoparticles for the fabrication of ZA-27/MoS₂ nanocomposites by using ultrasonic assisted stir casting technique. The wear and friction properties of the ZA-27/MoS₂ nanocomposites were analysed utilising a pin on disc device. To evaluate the influencing factors on ZA-27/MoS₂ nanocomposites the experimental plan is designed with Response Surface Methodology (RSM) technique by using design of experiment. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is employed to examine the significant impact of various factors like speed, distance, load and reinforcement content on ZA-27/MoS₂ nanocomposites. It is observed from the results that dry sliding wear and friction coefficient properties reduces by increasing the reinforcement content in the ZA-27/MoS₂ nanocomposites. The most significant influencing parameter for wear and friction coefficient behaviour of nanocomposites is reinforcement content. The interaction between the reinforcement content—speed and distance—speed also influences wear rate of ZA-27/MoS₂ nanocomposites. The mathematical equations were developed for wear rate and friction coefficient of ZA-27/MoS₂ nanocomposites with help of RSM. The microstructural study of worm surfaces of nanocomposites was analysed using a Scanning electron microscope (SEM).